Hi all!,

I just picked up yesterday a 1/35 T-34/85 at a good price. My question is who is making after market bits for these. I have only built models OOTB, and thought it would be fun to work this one over.

These are fairly nice kits and were some of the nicest T-34s until Dragon cranked out their line of T-34s. Also look for aftermarket parts for the Italeri T-34 since they are virtually the same kit.

Eduard offers photoetch engine screens (add the two folding louvers underneath from styrene sheet). Maquette offers link to link styrene track sets at a very low price, if you can find them. They may also turn up in RPM boxes (not sure--the two companies do share molds).

I have looked on the Eduard site and found nothing for the T-34. I have read that the Zvezda and Italeri models are essentially the same, but again no luck. I'm new at this hobby so looking at ALL the companies out there is a bit daunting.

-Derek

No need to be overwhelmed in the digital age! Go to www.greatmodels.com and use their search function. Just click on search and type in T-34, and you will have everything out there in one place, starting with the books and magazines, and progressing through all kits and accessories, conveniently divided up by scale and manufacturer. Eduard has a couple of sets for Zvezda T-34s (76mm models, but most parts are the same for the -85 version, and both sets include the all-important engine screens). Click on the individual set to find out which company's kit it is designed for. You will also find a variety of replacement gun barrels, tow cables or alternate resin turrets, should you be interested.
Aber also has about twenty T-34 brass sets for various manufacturers' T-34 kits. Sets intended for the Dragon kits could probably work okay on the Zvezda, but anything intended for the Tamiya kit will not fit, as Tamiya's is overscale with a misproportioned engine deck and oversize screens.
The cool thing is, you don't actually have to order from Great Models--use their search engine and order from whichever dealer is closest to you (though it is hard to beat their prices in the United States).
And like I said, the Maquette styrene tracks are a tremendous bargain (about $6 USD) compared to the cost of workable sets from Friul or Model Kasten, and they look much better than the kit's vinyl tracks. They are currently out of production (Great Models can't get them right now), but may be available from some dealers--I recently got a couple of sets from Alanger USA (though it took over a month--they have been very slow to deliver lately).

Thanks all!

I just received an email from Eduard, and the only make a kit for the T-34/76. I may get this any way as I don't think that the Soviets changed that much from model to model.

-Derek